Telegraph exchange system



April 14 i942 w. AB. BLANTON 3,279,295

TELEGAPH EXCHANGE YsTEM l l ATTORNEY April 14, 1942.

. W. B. BLANTON TELEGRAPH EXCHANGE SYSTEM File'l4 Oct. 14. 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 LLLL.:

.EDUm-U D100 INVENTOR W. B. BLANTON ATTORNEY April '14, 1942. w.4 B. BLAN'TON 2,279,295 f y TELEGRAPH EXCHANGE SYSTEM Filed ocx. 14, 19:59 9 sheets-sheet s T9 ne. e

INVENTOR` W. B BLAN TON ATTORNEY,

FIG. 3'

April 14, 1942. a. BLANTON TELEGRAPH EXCHANGE 'SYSTEM Filed oct. 14, 193s esheets-sheeys \NvENToR w. B. BLAN To N ATTORNEY April 14, 1942.

FIG. e

9 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEY 'V PY 14, 1942 w, B. BLANTON TELEGRAIH EXCHANGE SYSTEM F'iledyoct. 14, 1959 9 sheets-sneet 7 mmm INVENTOR W. B. BLANTON BY 5; am

ATTORNEY April 14, 1942;

w. B. BLANTON LEGRAPH EXCHANGE SYSTEM Filed oct. 14, 1959 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 April 14, 1942., w, Q BLANTQN l 2,279,295 TELEGRAPH EXCHANGE SYSTEM Filed oct. 14. 1939r e'slxeets-sheet 9 Bh PULSE TO FIG.8

INVENTORy w. BBLANTON ATTQRNEY resented Apr. is, i

s envases4 l 'raLEGnAPn ExcnANGE sYs'raM william e. Blanton, Merrick, N. Y.,

The Western Union Telegraphcompany,

assigner to New York, N. Y., a. corporation of New York Application October 14, 1939, Serial No. 299,408'

This inventionv relates to telegraph exchange systems and more particularly to line switching systems adapted to handle different classes ol .telegraph messages.

whether it is idle or in use at the moment. It is further necessary to transmit the message without waiting for the end of a message which` is being transmitted since the switching equipmentI is adapted to transmit successive messages substantially without interruption, one after the sages which are handled at reduced cost to the patron, usually are not transmitted until the complete le of ordinary or rush messages has been transmitted. This procedure involves diiculties in exchange systems 'wherein switching means is provided for interconnecting lines because all messages `would normally be transmitted from the exchange to a remote omce or exchange substantially in the order that they are received or as soon as an idle'channel is available.

ln line-switching systems wherein the telegraph messages are stored, for vexample by tape perforating4 or other storage mechanism, and provision is 'made for switching the storage repeaters to the proper outgoing circuit or channel under the control ci an attendant at the omce or exchange, it is necessary to provide for automatic control ci the repeaters in accordance with the condition of the transmitting circuit. Thus in order to conserve the time oi the attendant by confining his duties to the acts of selecting and connecting to the desired channel (or the repeater associated therewith) and subsequently breaking down the connection, means are provided for automatically starting transmission whenthe channel or the sending repeater thereof is available and for releasing the same automatically as soon as the message has been transmitted in order that the transmitting apparatus ofthe outgoing channel may be available for other traflic before the attendant has restored the switching equipment to normal. In a system of this character it is desirable to permit transmission to be interrupted for the purpose oi sending rushmessages or newsl ashes. Obviously it is 4desirable to providean arrangement whereby a special message may be interposed in the-transmission over anyoutgoing circuit irrespective-of the 'condition/ol the circuit, viz.,

other. Furthermore the news dashes and stock quotations are frequently sent at the same time to two or more loutgoing circuits and it would be undesirable to wait until all of the circuits become idle. l The principal features of the present invention relate to means for sending or repeating telegraph messages out of turn in a telegraph exchange or cnice of the above-mentioned character in order that certain messages maybe expedited and others deferred; means for interrupting transmission over the line circuits or channels from a switching oilice without mutilating. or losing messages being transmitted concurrently therewith; and in general a switching system for a telegraph omce having switching and control equipment interconnected in a manner to provide forthe eicient handling of telegraph messages in large volume and to meet other requirements of a large commercial telegraph system.

- A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved telegraph 'switching system adapted to handle' different classes of messages, giving one class preference over another as to timeof transmission.

Another object oi the invention is to provide in a system wherein messages are stored as received, means for repeating deferred messages only after all regular messages for a circuit or channel to the remote omce have been transmitted or have been stored at the sending position in case a storage repeater is provided. Y

Another object of the invention is to provide a system of the above-noted character. in which the deferred messages are cleared out oi the receiving position in order-.,not to 4hold up the regular messages received subsequently but before an opportunity is presented for transmitting such deferred messages.

Another object of the invention is to provide a,

telegraph system having means for storing and repeating messages, with means for interrupting transmission of one message and interpolating a specialy or rush message between the beginning and the end of the other message without muti.

lation or loss of a part of either message.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a telegraph system having means for storing and repeating messages, with means for automatically controlling the repeating of messages from one point in accordance with the handling of other messages, for example to delay the transmission of messages from a' deferred position or instrument if there is an accumulation lof regular messages to be transmitted over the outgoing channel.

For a better understanding of the invention, ref erence should be had to th accompanying drawings illustrating a thereof and in which:

Fig. 1 is a condensed diagram of a telegraph exchange system embodying the invention;

Figs. 2 to 9, inclusive, are wiring diagrams which taken together show the detailed circuits ofthe system shown in Fig.'1, and

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preferred embodiment Referring toFig. 1, two printers II and I2 are shown which are ,connected respectively to receiving perforators RRI and RR2 at a receiving position in the telegraph exchange or cnice. The printers II and I2 may be located in two branch oillces for example. The reperforators RRI and RRZ may be similar in construction to that shown in the patent to Rothermel, No.v 1,936,956 dated November 28, 1933, or patent to Dirkes et al., No. 2,174,731, dated Oct. 3,1939. Similarly multiplex systems such as I3 terminating in the oiilce or exchange may have the receiving distributor thereof connected to receiving reperforators, such as RR3 at the receiving position in order to store Figs. to 13, inclusive, show the manner in which the previous gures of the drawings are tted together to illustrate the various features` of the invention.

I'he embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings is a telegraph exchange system providing 4for the relaying of telegraph messages received in an office or exchange to outgoing channels or circuits from said oiiice without manual retransmission of the messages. In accordance with the invention, switching means is i l provided `for extending the connection from the receiving positions, where messages received are stored, for example in perforated tape, to any desired transmitting circuit or channel over alternative routes. This arrangement permits messages transmitted over one route to take precedence over those transmitted. over another route whereby rush messages are expedited and .deferred messages may be delayed .until the regular file has been transmitted; although in the case referred'to, three alternative routes/would be provided lfor rush, regular and deferred up messages -received over the respective channels of the multiplex system. The reperforator RR3 may be similar in construction to that shown in the patent to Hoover et al., No. 1,851,838 rdated March 29, 1932, or the printer reperforator shown in the patent to Dirkes et al., No. 2,143,828 dated January 10, 1939. The messages stored in the form of perforated tape by the reperforators RRI, RRZ and RRS are repeated' by the associated tapel transmitters TT, the operation of which is initiated automatically when the circuit is extended through the switchboard represented by the jacks I4 to 2|, inclusive, and the plugs P associated with each tape transmitter. The message s witching and repeating system thus far described is similar to that disclosed and `claimed in the patent to' R. F. Blanchard. W. B. Blanton, and H. L. Browne, No. 2,193,811, dated March 19, 1940, but is is contemplated that other equivalent character 'storage and repeating mechanism and other selective switching apparatus may be substituted for that shown,-if desired.

The tape transmitters at the receiving positions and their associated cord circuits and plugs messages, respectively, a different number oi'- routes .could be provided for a diierent number of classes of messages.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated,

a manual switchboard with plugs and .jacks for interconnecting the receiving positions with the transmitting apparatus of outgoing lines or channels from the exchange provided but any equivalent switching means might be substituted,

preferably under the control of the operators orA attendants at the oilice or exchange, A plurality of jacks or line terminals are provided for each outgoing line or channel and if the circuit from a receiving position is plugged into the regular jack, the message is repeated as soon as the line lor channel or the storage apparatus associated therewith becomes idle. If, however, the circuit is plugged into the deferred jack the message is transmitted to a deferred storage position associated with the outgoing line or channel where it is'stored for a period depending upon the accumulation of messages awaiting transmission over said line or channel.

Pare all alike and are adapted to work into signal storage and signal repeating devices connectved to either start-stop channels, or signal storage and signal repeating devices located at the X message `switching position. When a plug P is inserted into a jack I5 or I9 for connecting to the repeating equipment of one of the multiplex channels of the multiplex system Il, a

selector switch 25, 26 or 21 depending upon which of the multiplex channel repeaters is idle serves to extend the connection from' the switchboard jack to the reperforator RRS, RRS or RRI. I'he associated tape transmitter 'I'I, subject to control fromv the X message switching position, thereupon repeats the message over one of the channels of the multiplex system\through the conventional transmitting distributor shown.

Thus the selector switches 25, 26 and 21 serve to distribute the calls from the switchboard to idle i channels of the multiplex system I3 which may be assumed to be a heavily loaded intercity cir.- cuit. Additional selector switches are similarly arranged to distribute calls from other jacks to In the case of rush or X messages, the circuit from a receiving position is plugged into an X jackwhich is not individual to any particular outgoing line or channel but provides access to the "X storage position where connection is made to the desired sending channel and the messagel is repeated without delay, interrupting transmission on the sending circuit if necessary. Other features and advantages of, the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the particular system shown in the drawings for the purpose of illustration.

other multiplex channels. 1

In the case of messages for local branch oillces which are usually operated start-stop, the jacks are multipled together as represented by the ljacks I'I and 2|, and connected to a reperforator, such,

as'RRS having an associated tape transmitter TI' which is operative to repeat the message to the selected line L. The tape transmitters T1 for multiplex channels may be o1' the construction shown in the patent to Benjamin No. 1,298,440 dated March 25, 1919, and those employed for transmitting seven-unit start-stop code signals may be constructed as shown in tl a patent to line circuits, or multiplex "deferred storage positions or of the message.

i age-repeater. units may be provided at the X garages Y f 3 aothermei, No. 1,805,374 dated May 12, 1931. In' the case of multiple-wired jacks such as Il and be given to any particular message. In the case 2l, when two or more cord circuits are plugged at the same time into jacks of one multiple circuit, the system is arranged to prevent more than one tape transmitter operating at the same time in the manner that will be described.

' In the case of "deferred messages for one of.

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the multiplex channels of the multiplex system ,l

I3, the circuit is' plugged into one of the :lacks Il or I8, which are` also multiple-wired jacks, 'thus extending the circuit to the deferred storageA apparatus comprising reperforator RRI and associated tape transmitter TI. The deferred tape transmitter TT is connected to contactsof the selector switches 25, 26 and 21, whereby the stored messages may be repeated over the yassociated multiplex channelsv in the same manner as reguproviding access to the X" message switching position. The X message switching equipment comprises a selector switch 28, a reperforator RRS and'associated tape transmitter 'I'I, the contacts of which may be extended through the plug P3: and -the switchboard jacks, such as 3D, 3|, 32 and 33 to the line circuit or channel to the desired device. A plurality of selectors and storposition ii desired. As soon as the complete message is stored at the X message switching' position, the operator at that position plugs the tape transmitter into the proper jack, whereupon transmission is interrupted over the selected i circuit or channel if it is in use and the message is sent immediately? At the end of the message the circuit or channel is restored to normal and transmission f the interrupted message over such circuit or channel is resumed.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, a broadcast transmitter is provided which is common to the line circuits extendingl to the local branch cmces or patrons. This transmitter is arranged to send special messages such as news fiashes, stock cr commodity quotations,

et cetera to anyy of these offices or simultaneously tov any two or more of the oices. Since it might not be practicable to delay transmission of such messages until the wanted oiice or oftlces become idle, the connection of the broadcast transmitter 35 to any line circuit is arranged to interrupt the transmission over such circuit if it is in' use. This interruption in the transmission of a message to one of the omces is .accomplished without loss or mutilation of any characters and when the y circuit is released, the storage and transmitting devices associated with the switchboard are again rendered operative to resume transmission of the interrupted message.

Thus it will be apparent that in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the switching means for extending the circuits to the outgoing lines or channels provides alter- TT. The address preceding the message on the tape enables the operator or attendant to extend channel. After the message has been completely native routes which determine the preference to of a manual switchboard, a plurality of jacks are provided Afor each outgoing line or channel, and if the' storage and transmitting apparatus at the receiving positiomis plugged into one. jack, the message is repeated as soon as possible over the selected line or channel in its regular turn. If the 'connection is extended through another jack, the

transmission of a message is deferred in the event that messages are awaiting transmission over the selected line .or channel. A third switchboard jack provides access -to special equipment arranged 'tointerrupt regular transmission over anvselectedline or channel in order to expedite the transmission oi vspecial or rush messages. The operation of the system in detail will appear from Aconsideration of the detailed circuits shown in Figs.42 to 9, inclusive, of the accompanying drawings;v f

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Connection to multiplex channel rI'he circuitsfinvolvedfin the repeating ofv a message to a multiplex channel are shown in Figs. 2, 3.and '4 ofthe drawings when these gures are arranged as 'shownjin'Fig l0. Referring to Fig.` 2 the printer `II at a branch or patronscnice' for example may ',be connected to "the exchange or main cfiicethrough two line conductors as shown, one being used .for transmitf ting and the other for receiving signals ,at the branch ofiice.V If desired, the connection maybe effected over one line conductor worked duplex or in any other conventionalmanner.

As shown the transmitting contacts of printer II are connected in series relation with the left hand winding of relay il and with the operating magnet of the receiving reperiorator RRI. -The .relay 4I is normally energized by the current flowing over the described line circuit but vupon thejirst spacing .signal received when a message isf-transmitted to the main office, relay 4I becomes deenergized and closes through its lefthandfarmature and back contact a short-circuit around thelet hand winding of said relay so that' the relay'does not respondto the line signals. .A ,t

circuit is also closed upon the deenergization of relay 6I from ground through the left hand armature and back contact of relay d2, the right hand armature and back contact of relay ti and the call lamp d3 to battery, whereupon the lamp 63 is lighted to show that a message is waiting at this receiving position. The message is stored in tape ieri through the receiving reperorator RR! in the usual manner so that after connection is made to the desired outgoing circuit or channel, the message may be automatically repeated .by the associated tape transmitter the connection to the proper outgoing circuit "or stored in the tape and transmission has ceased from the branch omce, the operation 'of airei storing key M reenergizes relay 4I, and extinguishes the "cal1 lamp 43. -1 Y.

An X message is ordinarily' preceded by bell signals. The contacts *46 j of the receiving reperorator RRI are `c losed upon receipt ofjabell signal and complete a circuit through theleft hand winding of relay 42 whereupon said relay becomes energized. The arrangement of the contacts 46 to be operated in response to a predetermined signal may be similar to that shown in the patent to Dirkes et al., No. 2,l43,828,vdated January 10, 1939 (see Figs. 8 and 9). Upon the energization of relay 42, a locking circuit for said relay is closed through its right hand winding, right hand armature and front contact and the contacts of the key 41. A circuit is also closed through the interrupter 48, the left hand winding and front contact of relay 42, the right hand winding and front contact of relay 42, the f right hand winding and back contact of relay 4I and the "call lamp 43 whereupon the call lamp is iiashed to indicate to the operator that the message is an X message. The operation of the key 41 unlocks the relay 42 and restores the supervisory equipment to normal.

As many storage and repeating units are provided as there are incoming circuits or channels.V

and each tape transmitter of such vunits terminates in a cord circuit and switchboard plug-P adapted to be inserted in the jacks of the switchboard at the receiving position. The cord circuits associated with all of the tape transmitters are identical and are adapted to work into the repeating apparatusvof either start-stop circuits or multiplex channels, or into local storage equipment. 1

In the case of multiplex receiving channels, R each channel of the receiving distributor- MRD is connected to a reperforator such as the rethe circuit of the associated control relay 55 may be arranged as shown in the above-mentioned Dirkes Patent No. 2,143,828 (contactsl, Figs. 3

and 17). Since the contacts 54 remain open as long as fblanlns are received over the receiving channel, the relay 55 is normally deenergized.

Upon the receipt of the character other than a blank however, contacts 54 close and energize relay 55 whereupon the said relay becomes locked up through its right h and winding and right hand inner armature and front contact and the contacts of key 56. Upon the energization of relay 55, a circuit is closed from ground through the left hand armature and back contact of relay Y 51, right hand outer armature and front contact of relay 55 and the call lamp 58 to battery whereupon the lamp 58 is lighted to signal the Ioperator. Relay 5lcorresponds to relay 42 already described and serves to ash the lamp 58 in case of an X message asdescribed in connection with the start-stop channels.

As stated above the cord circuit control equipment Aassociated with each tape transmitter at the receiving position is identical and therefore the description of one cord circuit will be sufilcient to explain the operation. 'I'he switchboard jacks I 5 and I9 provide access to one multi- Vplex system and may be located at two separate f positions of the switchboard as-indicated in Fig. 1. The multiplex system may be assumed lto comprise two or more multiplex channels to the same point, one channel being shown in Fig. 4. Other multiplex systems are connected to other switch board jacks in a manner similar to that shown in the case of the jacks I5 and I9. Each channel of each multiplex system is provided with a nder switch similar to the switch 25 (see Fig. 3), said The contacts controlling the' flnder switch comprising seven rotary switch wipers 6| to 61 as shown actuated by the operating or stepping magnet 65 in the usual manner. The terminals of the switchboard jacks corresponding to one multiplex system, such as the jacks I5 and'IS, are connected to separate con- ,tacts in the respective contact banks of switch 25 and are multipled to the contacts of the other ilnder switches of the same multiplex system in the same manner, one of these switches being indicated at 26 in Fig. 4. The nder switch 25 is 'arranged to connect any of the switchboard jacks allotted to the multiplex system shown to one channel thereof through the reperforator RR5 and associated tape transmitter TI2. In a similar manner the finder switch 26 connects any of said jacks to a second channel of the same multiplex system through the reperforator RRS and associated tape transmitter T1', the detailed circuits of which are omitted for the sake of simplicity since they are identical with those shown in connection with the rst channel.

A load-distributor control switch comprising Irotary switch wipers 10, 1I. 'I2 and 13, and anv operating magnet 'I4 for distributing successive calls to the respective channels of the multiplex system by controlling the operationof the respec-- tive iinder switches is also provided for each group of tlnderswitches. The rst contacts of the respective contact banks engaged by the switch wipers 'I0- 13 are connected to the con- 4trol relays of the finder switch ,25 and the tlrst multiplex channel; the second contacts tothe second finder switch 26 and so on: Except for its control of the deferred storage channels as described below, the load-distributor is of. conventional character, and other equivalent control apparatus may be employed in lieu of that shown, if desired.

Assuming that a message has been received at the receiving position shown in Fig. 2 which is to be repeated lover one of the channels o1' the multiplex system shown in Fig. 4, the operator plugs the multiple-conductor connecting plug P associated with the reperforator RRI and tape transmitter TT into the switchboard jack I5. A contact of the switchboard jack l5 forming a terminal of said multiplex system is connected to positive battery whereby a positive potential is applied to the conductor 'I of the cord circuit when the plug is inserted in the jack. A circuit is closed upon insertion of the plug into the jack 18, said rectiers being oppositely poled in the I5 from positive battery to conductor I of the cord circuit and through the windings of relays '15.and 'I6 to ground.\ Relay l5 is shunted by a rectier 11 and relay I6 is shunted by a rectiiler described circuit 'between the conductor I and ground. 'I hereforerelay 'I5 becomes energized whereas relay 'I6 is short-circuited by the low resistance path through the rectiiler I5 and remains deenergized. In the case of a connection through the switchboard to a start-stop or the conductor l when the plug P is inserted in branch oflice circuit, the contact of the branch oiilce switchboard jack which is connected to the jack is connected to'negative battery. Therefore when the plug is inserted into this jack), relay 'I6 becomes energized and relay 15 remains deenergized so that the control equipment of the cord circuit functions in a diilerent manner depending upon'the type of circuit into which the repeating equipment is plugged. Obviously if desired `the neutral relays 'I5 and 'I5 with their innerarmature and back contact of relay 82, the

right hand outer armature and front' contact of relay 15, conductor 8 of the cord vcircuit and its associated plug and jack contacts in the switchboard. conductor 8 of the cables Stand 85 extending from jack I to the finder switch 26 and the winding of the start relay |53. The energization of relay |53 causeslthe load distributor to commence to hunt for an idle finder switch. The circuit of the stepping magnet `14 of the control switch may be traced through the interrupter contacts associated with said magnet, the inner right hand armature and front contact of any relay 86 of an idle multiplex channel (said relay being energized except when the corresponding channel is operating upon the intraoice or switchboard circuit, or when the multiplexchannel is cut out of service, as explained below), the switch wiper 'I2 assumed to be in -multiplex channel if desired but preferably service code signals are first stored in the tape at the reperforator RRS associated with said channel. These service code signals may include consecutive numbers transmitted with consecutive messages over said channel from the numbering- Imachine |04 in order to facilitate tracing lost or mutilated messages and for other purposes. The

numbering machine and system are disclosed and I claimed in the patents' to Dirkes et a1., Nos. 2,193,809 and 2,193,810, dated March `19, 1940. Consequently the numbering machine is not shown in detail except for'the stepping magnet |05 operating a plurality of code drums |06 and the contacts |01 and |08 of which the latter is closed at the completion of the cycle of operation ofthe numbering machine -to transfer the circuit of the reperforatorRRB to the tape transmitter at the receiving position.

'I'he energization of relay 81, as described, closes the circuit of the stepping magnet' |05 of the numbering machine, ysaid circuit extending from ground through the sixth pulse contacts I0 engagement with a bank contact individual to a busy channel, and the right hand outer armature and back contact of relay 86 of such channel.

, Thus when the switch wipers 10-18 reach an idle channel, which may be assumed to be that of the finder switch 25, the wipers stop on said contacts. The circuit of relay 86 may be traced through the left hand armature and back contact of relay96 to ground at the lower normal contacts of the key |0I. Thereupon'the circuit of the operating magnet 68 of the finder switch `25 is closed, said circuit including the left hand outer armature and back contact of relay 81, the left hand outer armature and front contact of relay 86, the load distributor switch wiper 10,l

the inner armature of relay |53 and interrupter 88. Thereupon the operating magnet 68 is intermittently energized to step the respective switch wipers 6| to 61 into the positions shown in which said wipers engage the bank contacts individual to the switchboard jack I5. At this time a circuit is closed from positive battery through the resistor 90, left hand armature and front contact of relay 15, normally closed make-before-break contacts associated with the outer right hand armature of relay 82, the winding of relay 6I, conductor 9 of thecord circuit and the associated plug and jack contacts, conductor 9 of the cable 84, wiper 61 ofthe nder switch 15, the interrupter contacts 9| associated with the stepping magnet 68, the left hand winding of relay 61, resistor 92, the left hand inner armature and front contact of relay 86, switch wiper 1I and the middle armature and front contact of relay |58, to ground. Relays 8| and 81 become energized and relay 81 becomes locked up throughthe described circuit including the finder switch 25, the right hand winding and right hand inner armature and front contact of relay 81 and the right hand outer armature and back contact of relay 94 to negative battery.

The energization of relay I81 opens atits left hand outer armature and back contact the circuit of the stepping magnet 68 of the nder switch 25 so that the switch wipers remain in engagement with their bank contacts which are connected to the switchboard jack I5. At this time the circuit of the tape transmitter 'I'I' at the receiving position could be extended to the of the pulsing unit I I associated with reperforator RRS, the right hand outer armature and front contact of relay 81, the sixth armature and back contact of relay 91, conductor No. 6 of the cable H2 and the winding of the stepping magnet |05 to negative battery. Upon each closure of the intermittent contacts III) the steppingmagnet |05 is energized to step the code drums |06 through successive angular positions whereby the number of the particular message is perforated in the tape by the reperforator RR5 in advance of the storage of the message at that point. The circuits of the selecting magnets of the reperforator RR5 from the numbering machine include the cable H2, the -iirst five armatures and back contacts of relay 91 and the cable IM extending to the reperforator. The selecting magnets are preferably connected as indicated by the conductors I I5 to pulsing contacts of pulsing unit III in order that the selective operation of the reperforator elements may be effected in properly timed relation to the rotation of the code drum |06 and the operation of the punch magnet I I6. Punch magnet II6 is likewise connected to contacts II1 of the pulsing unit ||I to insure that the punch magnet is energized immediately after the closure of the circuits of the selecting magnets of the reperforator. Pulsing unit III is further provided with other intermittent contacts ||8 for the purpose of controlling the associated control relays in a manner to be described.

The energization of relay 81, as described above,

also closes a circuitfrom ground through its second right hand armature andfront contact for energizing slow-release relay 96. The operation of relay 96 opens at its left hand armature and back 'contact the circuit of relay 86 which, as will be apparent from the foregoing description, busies the i'lrst channel associated with the line finder switch 25 to other calls through the switchboard. At the end of the transmissionof i the message the circuit of relay 96 is opened to reclose the circuit of relay 86 and by reason ofl theslow-release characteristic of relay 96 sufcient time is obtained for all of the equipment to be restored to normal before the circuit may be seized for another call. A key or switch |0| is provided in connection with the rst channel'of the multiplex system whereby the channel may be rendered busy if it is desired .to cut the same out of service. The key IOI is a three-way key forator RRI.

' if desired.

nel, are provided for each of the channels as indicated.

Similar keys, -such as key |02'associated with the second changization of relay |2| transfers the sixth pulse I circuit at the outer right hand armature and front contact of said relay to the stepping magnet of the tape transmitter TT, this circuit including the contacts and windings of the conventional auto-stop relay |23. The auto-stop relay |23 is connected to the stepping magnet of the tape transmitter and to the auto-stop con- When the numbering machine |04 has completed its cycle the contacts |08 are closed whereupon a circuit is closed through said contacts, conductor No. 6 of the cable |.|2, the inner leit `hand armature and front contact of relay 81 and the winding of relay 91. 'Ihe energization of relay 91 transfers the circuits of the reperforator RR5 from the numbering machine through the lrespective switch wipers 6| to 66 oi the iinder switch 25 and the switchboard to the tape transmitter TT associated with the receiving-reper- 'Ihe energization of relay 91 interrupts the described operating circuit from the sixth pulse contacts ||0 to the stepping magnet |85 of the numbering machine but another circuit is closed from said contacts through-the conductor No. 7 of the cable ||2 and the contacts |01 f the numbering 'machine whereby upon the generation of the next sixth pulse, the code drum |06 of the numbering machine are stepped back to the starting position whereupon the contacts |01 are opened to interrupt the circuit of the magnet |05. The-numbering machine is thus restored to normal in readiness to transmit another series of service codev signals preceding the following message over the i'lrst channel of the multiplex system. Each multiplex channel and each line circuit may be provided with Vsuch an automatic code transmitter 'The energization ofrelay 8| as described above when the flnder switch reached the terminals connected to the jack |5 opens at its outer left handarmature and back contact the start circuit for relay v| 53 of the load distributor switch 10-13. As soon as the numbering machine |04 has completed its cycle and operated relay 81, the sixth pulse or transmitter stepping impulse circuit is connected from the pulsing contacts ||0 through the right hand outer armature and front contact of relay 81, the sixth armature and front contact of relay 81, switch wiper 66 of the iinder switch 25, conductor No. 6 of the cable 84, the contacts of the switchboard jack |5 and the plug P, conductor 6 of the cord circuit,4 the left hand inner armature and Vfront contact of relay'8| the right hand outer armature and back contacto! relay |2|. and the winding of relay |22 to nega- .tive battery. When the'next sixth pulse or transmitter stepping pulse is transmitted by the pulsing contacts H0, relay |22 becomes energized.V

'I'he energization of relay |22 closes a circuit from ground through its left hand outer armature and front contact and the winding of relay 82 to negative battery whereupon relay 82 becomes energized and locks up through a circuit that is independent of relay |22 including the left hand inner armature and front contact of relay 82 and the right hand inner armature and front contact of relay 15. As soon as the contacts 0 of the pulsing unit open and remove ground 'from the winding of relay |22, the latter relay locks up through its left'hand inner armature and front contact, the winding of relay |2| and the left hand outer armaturefand front contact of relay 8| to ground,thereby maintaining relay |22 operated and operating relay |2|. The enertacts |24 associated with the tape loop between the reperforator RRI and theftape transmitter T1 in the same manner as disclosed in the patent to Houghtaling, No.. 1,275,559 'dated August 13, 1918. The purpose of this control equipment is to open the circuit of the stepping magnet of the vtape transmitter whenever the tape loop between the reperforator and the transmitter becomes taut. Under normal conditions repeating of the message stored in the tape through the switchboard is not commenced until the entire message has been received at the receivingposition and thereafter sufficient blank tape is stepped out of the reperforator to enable the tape transmitter to repeat the entire message before the loop of tape becomes ta'ut. Furthermore, as explained in the prior patent of Blanchard et al.' referred to above, the rate of transmitting code Asignals from the receiving position to the storage apparatus associated with the outgoing line or channel is considerablyiaster than the normal rate of transmission from the branch oiice printer to the exchange whereby thetime required for the switching operation is made up and the accumulation of tape under busy traflic conditions at the receiving position is obviated.

The-initial operating circuit of relays 8| and 81 as pointed out above includes the right hand make-before-break contacts of relay 82 and the left hand amature and front' contact of relay 16 topositive battery. Upon the energization of relay 82 as described, this circuit is transferred through the right hand outer varmature of relay 82 to ground at the right hand inner armature and front contact of relay 8|. The release of the cord circuit is therefore independent of relay 15 and is edected in a manner to be described.

'I'he code combinations perforated in the tape fed vto the tape transmitter T'I effect the selective operation of the movable contacts of the transmitter with respect to the marking and spacing contacts. Ground potential connected to the left hand or marking busbar of .the tape transmitter is connected through the rst iive right hand armatures and front contacts oi' relay |2|, 'the cord circuit, plugv P and jack l5 of the switchboard, conductors to 5 of the cable 84, the switch wipers 6| to 65 of the finder switch 25, thevrst five armatures and front contacts of relay 91, conductors to 5 of the cable I |4, the windings of relays |25, |26 and |21 and conductors 6 to I0 inclusive of the cable ||4 to the five selecting magnets of the. reperforator RRS. After the selective operation of the magnets of the reperforator for each character, the contacts ||1 of the pulsing unity operate the punch magnet ||6 to perforate the characters in the tape associated with said reperforator. The deenergization of the punch magnet ||6 of the reperforator steps the tape therethrough, and closure of the contacts ||0 advances the tape in` the tape transmitter TI' to set up the next charto be repeatedover the multiplex channel. The

tape transmitter TT associated with the reperforator RRE is controlled by the multiplex dis- 'selection of the proper outgoing circuit is determined by the switchboard attendant who plugs the storage and repeating equipment `at the receiving position into a jack individual to the proper circuit but the message is preferably stored at the sending position represented by the reperforator RRS and associated tape transmitter TT in order to permit the transmission of the message through the switchboard at a diierent y rate and preferably a higher rate than thatI employed in transmitting the message over the multiplex system to the remote omce. Since a certain amount of time is required to select and connect to the different outgoing circuits or chan nels at the switchboard, this arrangement prevents the accumulation of messages at the receiving position when the traflic is heavy and messages are continually transmitted from the branch oiilce. l

At thev end of each message the branch olce operator appends an end-of-message signal or signals which are operative to release the channel ofthe multiplex system so that it is available for other messages before the connection through the switchboard is broken down by removing the plug from the switchboard jack. The end-ofmessage signal in the system shown consists of two consecutive period-dot code combinations although it will be apparent that any other code combination or series of code combinations' not employed for regular transmission may beused for this purpose. The relays |25, |28 and |21 are arranged to distinguish between the perioddot code combination andv all other code com-` relay |21 will be deenergized or one or both of therelays |25 and |28 will be energized at the same time as relay |21. The relays |25, |26 and |21 also serve to prevent the stepping of the reperforator RRS upon the receipt of a blank or all-spacing signal, which of course is not perforated in the tape. It will be noted that the -circuit o f the punch magnet H6 of the reperforator includes the left hand armature and front contact of one of said relays, and therefore if none of the relays is operated, as in the case of a blank signal being transmitted from the tape transmitter at the-receiving position, the circuit of the punch magnet remains open when the normal operating contacts ||1 thereof are closed.

When a period-dot combination having only the' fourth pulsemarking is transmitted from tape transmitter to receiving position, relay |21 is energized and relays |26 and |28 remain deenergized. Thus a circuit is closed from ground through the right hand armatures and back contacts of relays |28 and |26, the right hand armature and front contact of relay |21, the left hand armature4 and back contact of relay |28 and the winding of relay |29 to negative battery. Relay |29 becomes energized and closes a locking circuit for its own winding through its right hand armature and i'ront contact, the winding of relay |28, the armature and back contact of relay |38 and the right hand amature and front contact of relay 96 to ground. Relay |28 does not become energized immediately, however, because it is short-circuited by the connection to ground described above at the right hand armature of relay |25. However at the end of the fourth pulse which operates relay |21, relay |28 becomes energized by the deenergization of relay |21. If the next character transmitted by said tape transmitter is any code combination other than a blank or a period-dot, a circuit is closed from negative battery through the winding of relay |30, the left hand armature and iront contact of relay |29 and the right hand armature and front contact 'of either relay |25 or |26 whereupon relay |39 becomes energized. The energization of relay |38 opens at its back contactthe de scribed locking circuits of relays |28 and |29,

whereupon said relays are restored to normal.

As' stated above, the end-of-message Ysignal nations, the iirst of which causes the energiza- -tion of relays |28. and |26 in the manner described; Upon receipt of the second period-dot code combination, a circuit is closed from ground through the right hand armatures and back contacts of relays |25 and |26, the right hand armature and front contact of relay |21, the armature and front contact of relay |28 and the winding of relay to negative battery, whereupon relay 95 becomes energized. 'Ihe energization of relay 95 closes a locking circuit for said relay through its armature andiront contact, the winding of relay 9d, the armature and back contact of relay |38 and the right hand armature and iront-v contact of relay 96 to ground. Upon the resetting of the tape transmitter which causes the interruption of the described operating circuit of relay 95, relay 9A becomes energized in series withrelay 95. The energization of relay 9i interrupts at its outer right-handarmature and backcoutact the holding circuit forrelays 8| and 81, whereupon these relays become deenergized. The deenergization of relay 81 interrupts the circuits of relays 96 and 91, thereby restoring the control A equipment associated with the iinder switch 25 `to normal so that the multiplex channel is released for another call even though the plug P has not been removed from the switchboard jack i5. In this manner lthe counting relays 9d, 95, |28 and |29 respond to the transmission of a plurality of period-dot code combinations forming the end-of-message signal and cause the release of the multiplex channel.

The release of the cord circuit control equipment is eiected as follows: Upon the deener gization of relay 8| as described, all of the relays associated with the cord circuit are restored to normal except relays 15 and 82. The circuit of relay 15 is completed as long as the plug P remains in the switchboard jack and relay 82 is locked up through its inner left hand armature 8 and front contact and the inner right hand amature and front contact of relay 15. The circuit of the disconnect lamp |35 is closed through the left hand outer armature and front contact of relay 82 and the right hand outer armature and back contact of relay 8|. The

lighting of the lamp |35 denotes to the operator that the message has been transmitted and the operator withdraws the plug P from the jack I to restore relays 'I5 and 82 to normal whereupon the disconnect" lamp |35 isextinguishe'd. The cord circuit is then in readiness for another call which is put through upon insertion of the plug P in the same or any other switchboard jack.

In the foregoing description it was assumed' nel. Other channels may also be provided and connected'in multiple to the switchboard jack I5 through nder switches similar to the switch 25. It will be apparent that the finder switches such as 25 and 26 under the control of load distributor serve'to'distr'ibute the calls made through the switchboard to the respective multiplex channels of the mutiplex system.

Y messages.

Since the transmission from the receiving positions to the sending {storage and repeating apparatus is preferably at'a higher rate than the transmission over the outgoing channels, the

vmultiplex channel has4 been transmitted and 4for the time being no further message signals are received by the reperforator RRS, the operation of the tape transmitter TI at the sending positionA will take up the slack in the tape between said reperforator and the transmitter. 'I'he shortening of the tape loop raises the tape lever load distributor tends to distribute the calls uniy formly to the respective channels. The storing' ciated with the outer armature of the relay |3I, and make-before-break contacts and the right hand winding of the auto-stop relay |38, whereupon said relay |38 becomes'energized in series with the stepping magnet of the'tape transmitter and the stepping of tape through the tape transmitter ceases. .ilank"` signals are transmitted over the channel of the multiplex system until perforated tape again is fed into the tape transmitter from the reperforator RRS.

The ,tape feed-out control relay 98 closes a circuit through its second left hand armature andfront contact for applying' ground potential to the conductor |40 leading to the deferred" storage equipment (see Figs. 5 and 6), and is used to indicate that one of the multiplex channels is idle and available for handling4 deferred" Thus the operation 'of the deferred storage equipment in amanner that will be described is made dependent upon the accumulatlon of ordinary messages for the multiplex channels so that the deferred traillc is not transmitted until no regular messagesV are awaiting transmission to the repeating apparatus of at least one of the channels of the multiplex system. Similar tape feed-out control relays, such as indicated at 99 associated with the other'channels,

lare also arranged to apply ground potential to the conductor |40 in order that the deferred storage equipment may be voperated as soon as any one of the multiplex channels is available.y

When any one of the multiple channels iste be cut out of service the key |0| orv |02 individual to said .channel is thrown upward. 4As

described above, the circuit 0f relay 80 includesv nels of the multiplex system. If the multiplex system is closed down on account of 1in or ment troubles, all of the keys |0I, I, etgulr-e thrown upward to close out the individual channels. A circuit is then closed through the lamp ln the switchboard'adjacent to jack I5, conductor I0 of the cables 04 and 85, contacts |5| I 31 and closes the upper contacts thereof to complete a circuit from ground through the third right hand yarmature and back contact of relay 01, the upper contacts of the tape lever |31 and the winding of` relay 00 to negative battery whereupon relay 90 becomes energized and locks up through a circuit including its left hand inner armature and f ront contact that is independent with the contacts of the tape lever. The energization" of relay 35 closes a circuit from ground. through its right hand armature and front conoperating contacts ||1 of the pulsing unit III and the punch magnet IIS to step out blank tape from the reperforator. As soon as a sumcient blank tape has been stepped out to enable the last character code signalto reach the tape trans- Nmitter TI', the tape feed-out mechanism |36 of conventional construction opens the circuit to the punch magnet and no further tape is fed out until another ymessage is received on the reperforator. As soon as the lower 'contacts of the tape lever YI3'I open, a circuit is completed for the stepping pulse fromthe multiplex distributor of the key IOI, contacts |52 of the key |02, 'corresponding contacts of the keys of other channels, if any, the armature and back contact of relay |53 to battery, whereupon the lamp |50 lights to indicate to the switchboard operator that the multiplex system has been cut out of service and no calls are to be placed through the multipled Jacks associated with said multiplex tact, the tape feedTout mechanism |36, the punch and arranged in multiple to the jack I5. It will be understood that lamps |50 are arranged in parallel to that shown at each position of the switchboard adjacent jacks. such as 9, also leading to the same outgoing circuit or channel. In cases of this kind where a line or apparatus unit at the oiiice is taken out of service, it is important to prevent attempts to use the disabled lme or equipment, both because of the possibility of dethrough the make-before-.break contacts asso- -15 ture of the invention if an attempt is made to the local or branch oilice jacks I1 and2ieinl8s2`- vIn the case ofthe multipled jacks referred to,

plug a call into the .lack Il 'when all o! the channels have been cut out as described, theclosure of the start circuit energizes the relay |08 to in'- terpose the interrupter I in the circuit of the lamps |50, causing the lamps to commence. to flash as `soon as the operator plugs in a cord circuit. As soon as the operator notes the flashing ofthe lamp at the point where she has inserted the switchboard P1118. She will withdraw the plug at oce and attempt to route the call in some ,other manner to its destination.

In case the multiplex system is stopped because the remote oflice is closed down. as`ior example adjacent the regular switchboard lacks indicate that regular messages are not to be plugged into the jacks while the lamps are lighted because of the fact that the remote ofllce is closed down for example. Under these circumstances an attempt to transmit a regular message through the usual control'equipment in the cord circuit is arranged to permit transmission from only one cord circuit I to the reperforator RR! at the deferredf storageposition. As soon as a part of the message has been received, in a manner that will be described in detail, the loop of tape between the repertorator RR4 and its associated transmitter Tl' be comes slack and permits the closure of. the normally open lower contacts of the tape lever`231, whereupon the stored message is transmitted to one of the channels of the multiplex system of Fig. 4 as soon as one of the channels becomes system is again placed in service. 'I'he lamps |50 channels would result in delay whereas in some cases such messages may be routed through other oilicesA for prompt delivery even though the regular channels are cut out of service.

Connection to deferred storage equipment for multiplex channels The circuits involved in repeating a "deferred message to the multiplex system (Fig. 4) are shown in Figs. 2 to 6 inclusive, when these gures are arranged as shown in Fig. 11. In the case of a deferred message it should be understood that the message is to be cleared out of the receiving position promptly in order to prevent thel accumulation of messages at that position, but is to be transmitted over the outgoing line or channel in such a manner as'to avoid delaying regular trailic, as for example by holding up the deferred'message luntil there is no regular message for the repeater equipment of the selected Since each of the cord circuit control equip-` ments at every receiving position are identical it may be assumed for purposes of explanation that a deferred message has been stored at the receiving reperfoator RRI, Fig.` 2, for transmission over the multiplex system shown in Fig. 4.. In this instance the operator `or attendant plugs the cord circuit and trans-y mitterf'll into the switchboard jack il individual to the multiplex' system shown but idle and the associated nder switch 25 or 26 is stepped to the position corresponding to the deferred storage repeating apparatus. As stated above, the nder switches. 25 and 26 arenot operative to connect to the deferred" storage equipment until the associated channel storage and repeating apparatus has no regular messages waiting so that the transmission of the deferred message will not involve any delay in the -ber which periodically and successivelygrounds the test circuits of the respective cord circuits. Under the assumed idle condition of the deferred storage apparatus, ywhen the contact of the allotter switch |60 engages the brush |6|, a circuit is closed from ground through said brush. resistor |62, left hand inner armature and 'front contact of relay .16, the make-before-break contacts associated with the right hand outer armature of relay 82, the winding of relay 8|, conductor 9 of the cord circuit and contacts of the plug P and jack I4 connected thereto, conductor 9 of the cable 284, the winding of relay 281 (Fig. 5), left hand armature and back contact of relay 296, the normally closed upper contactsof the key 20|, the right hand armature and back contact of relay 294 and resistance to negative battery, whereupon relays 8| and 281 become energized. Since corresponding or similar control ele` ments are used at the regular and deferred" storage equipments, similar reference numerals have been applied to these elements of the "deferred equipment with the prefix 2. Thus for example the relay 281 corresponds to the relay 81 of Fig. 3. The energization of relays 8| and 281 initiates the repetition of the received message from the transmitter 'IT at the receiving position (Fig. 2) to the reperforator lRRA at the deferred" storage position in a manner that will be apparent from the foregoing description of the repeating of regular messages from a receiving position to the reperforator RRS. In this case however the messages are not numbered as each messaewiubenumbered whenitissntmm' the regular line storage. Y

In the case of multlpled lacks, the energization of relay 16 instead of relay 1S places the circuit of relay 8| under the control oi.' the contacts o! the allotter switch lil If the cord circuit is plugged into a jack in multiple to another jack I which has already been selected by an operator, conductor 9 of the cord circuit is grounded at the rst switchboard connection through the low-resistance winding of relay 8| of the ilrst cirv cuit plugged up. the left hand outer amature and front contact of relay 16 of said circuit, the right hand inner armaturefand front contact of relay 8|. 'Therefore when a second cord circuit l5 reperforator RRI is automatically connected to is plugged into a multipled jack of the deferred storage equipment, the relay 8| oi the-second cord circuit does not become, energized until the relay 8| oi' the ilrst cord circuit becomes deenergized at the end of the message. Sincethe test circuits including the windings of relays ll of the respective cord circuits are closed one at Y a time, only one cord circuit -can be connected through to the deferred storage position at any one timeregardless of how many are connected in multiple at the switchboard jacks. Upon the energizatlon of relayil. as described, a locking circuit is closed for relays Il and 281 through left hand outer armature and front contact of relay 16 and the right .hand inner amature and front contact of relay Il. Since this circuit is independent of the contacts of the allotter switch l, relays Il and 281 remain locked up after the original operating circuit of said relays is broken at the allotter switch. Y

The energization of relay 281 as described closes -a circuit through its right hand amature and front contact for energizing relay 2 which is a'slow-release relay corresponding to relay Si, Fig. 3, arranged to control tbe release of the control relay equipment. Upon the occurrence of the rst stepping or sixth pulse from the contacts 2|0 of the pulsing unit 2||, a circuit' is closed through the sixth conductor of the cable 28|; corresponding contactsof the plug and Jack I l, sixth conductor of the cord circuit, the left hand inner armatureand front contact of relay 8|, the right hand outer armature and back contact of relay |2| and the winding of relay |22 to negative battery whereupon relay, |22

becomes energized. The locking circuit of relay |22 may be traced tbrughthe inner armature and front contact thereof, the winding oi relay |2| and the left hand outer armature and front contact of relayll so that at the end of the ilrst sixth pulse s described relay I2| becomes energized in series with relay |22. The energization of relay |2| connects the tape transy the multiplex system shown in Fig. 4 assoon as the tape lever contacts of the .tape lever 211 indicate in response to the lengthening of the tape loop that a'message is awaiting transmission o from this point provided all of the multiplex channels are not being used for regular messages.

As described above, the tape leed-out relays ll, 99. etc. of the respective multiplex channels are employed to feed out blank tape froxnveach re- 5 perforator at the end of a message it there is no other message immediately following in ordei that the character code signals in the tape may reach the feeler pins of the tape transmitter 'IT. Thus the operation of the tape feed-out relays 30 indicates that the regular messages waiting mitter T1'I oi the cord circuit through the switch? I ture and front contact to the autostop relay |2l'and stepping magnet ofthe tape transmitter `TT so thatsucceeding sixth pulses koperate the stepping magnet at the tape transmitter to step transmission at the switchboard for the multip lex channels have been cleared out and at least one channel is available for deferred tramo.

The operation of relay ll of the ilrst multi Yplex channel, assuming4 that the regular messages for this channel have been cleared out, causes the load distributor 12A-11 to'advance to Vthe #I channel position, thus causing the reperforator RRS to takethe next message, either o regular or deferred. 'I'he step-by-step operation of the load distributor is eifectedby applying ground to the Stepping magnet 14 through the outer left hand armatures and back contacts of relays l! associated with busy channels, switch- 'Ihe operation of relay 98 or S! applies ground r, potential to the conductor Ill which extends to the winding of relay 210,- Fig. 6. Relay 21| thus becomes energized whenever one of the multiplex channels is available for deferred tramo. If

a message has been stored at the "deferred" stor-A m age position by the reperforator RRI, as dethe characters'periorated in the tape by the reperforator RRI through said tape transmitter.

The relays 225, 226 and 221 corresponding to.

relays |25,` |25 and |21 of Fig. 4 are arranged to differentiate between theperiod-dot code combination and all other code combinations as described above in connection with the part of the systemshownonFlgsBand4. The counting scribed, the lengthening of the tape loop between the reperforator andthe associated tape transmitter will cause the lower contacts of the tape lever switch 2.31 to close, thereby closing the cirs cuit of the stepping magnet of the tape transmitter through the said contacts, the left hand outer armature and back contact of relay 21| the left hand armature and back contact of relay 212 and the tape stepping or. internipter contacts 213 to step blank tape through the transmitter. The stepping of the tape transmitter in this manner continues until a. character code combination other than a blank is setup in the tape transmitter, this code combination causing relays 228.' 229 and 2 and 295 and the associ- 73* ground potential to be applied through one of the contacts of the tape transmitter from the marking bus bar, one of the right hand armatures and back contacts of the relay 260 and the winding of relay 212 to battery,.whereupon relay 212 becomes energized.l The energization of re- '.lay 212 interrupts the described stepping circuit Yofl the tape transmitter and the transmitter stops with the rst character code combination of the message opposite the pins of the transmitter.

As soon as relay 210 becomes energized, as describedthe energization of relay 212 closes a circuit from ground through the upper contacts of envases of the tape vlever switch 221. 'I'he operation of the tape transmitter is thus placed under the` control of the tape lever switch 231 in the conthe key or switch 215, the inner armature and channel associated with the finder switch is the idle channel that is clear of all regular trame, and the load distributor has functioned due to the operation of relay to designate iinder switch 25 to take the next call. The operationeel the start relay completes two circuits through the load distributor 1&-13 in a manner to initiate the operation of said iinderswitch 25 to connect to the cable 211 extending to the deferred Storage position. Whenthe -finder switch wipers reach the sixth contacts of the respective contact'banks corresponding to the dei'erred" storage position, a circuit is closed for stopping the rotation of the nder switch which includes the windings of relay 81, the switch wiper 61; conductor 9 of the cable 211, the winding of relay 216, the make-before-break contacts associated with the inner right hand armature ofl relay 21|, the right hand inner armature and front contact of relay 212, the outeriarmature and front contact of armature 210, ,and the lower contactsof the switch or -key 215 to,\ battery.. The energization vof relay 81 causes the' operation of the numbering machines, and relay 91 is energized in the contacts |08 as described above.

Upon the reception of the first stepping or sixth impulse from the pulsing unit IIIof the reperforator RRS through conductor 6 oi the cable 211 after reay 91 has operated, relay 280 becomes energized, the circuit of said relay including the ventional manner.

In this manner the deferred messages are stored for transmission over the multiplex channels in the same manner as in the case-of regular messages during the periods when one or more channels are not being used for regular traillc. The release of thev control equipment at the end of each' message is eected in substantially the same manner as described above in connection with Figs. 2,3 and 4. The 'repeating of messages from the deferred storage position may be prevented when desired by opening the key 215,

thereby interrupting the start and holding circuits ofV the finder switches 25 and 26 to prevent lthe connection through said switches to the multiplex channels as long as the key 215 remains operated. It the multiplex system is closed down at night, for example, the key 215 may be opened during such periods without preventing the storage of de ferred.messages from the receiving ,positions where such messages are, accepted for transmission .the following day.

Connection' to local branch oce The circuits involved in repeating a message to a local branch oiice are shown in Figs. 2 and 7 when these figures are arranged'as shown in Fig.

to provide access to a start-stop receiving printer in a local branch oiiice which is assumed to be connected'to the line LI, Fig. -7. When a cord circuit is plugged into one of the Jacks i1 and 2|, the circuit is extended to the cable 384 leading to the storage equipment at the sending position ,associated with the said local branch office.

`When more ,than one call is plugged into the multipled jacks leading to this storage equipment of which only two are shown, the operation of the allotter switch |80 renders the respective code circuits operative one after the other in the same manner as described above in connection with the extension of calls to the multipled jacks leadingA tojthe "deferred storage position (Figs. 5 and 6). When the plug P is inserted in the jack I1, the

I repeating of the message from the receiving posiright hand outer armature and back contact of relay 200 and the second right hand armature and front contact of relay 216. At the end of the sixth pulse which operates relay 280, said relay locks up through its left hand armature and front contact in series with the winding of relay 250 and the third right hand armature and front contact oi relay 216, whereupon relay 260 becomes energized. The'energization of relay 200" closes at its right hand amature and front con# tact the circuit of relay 21| which locks up the release relay 216 through a circuit that is independent of relays 210 and 212l and of the switch 215. The energization oi' relay 260 connects the tape transmitter TT atr the deferred storage andi'ront contact of relay 21| and the contactsy tion to the` storage equipment associated with the line LI and the subsequent release of the storage equipment and the restoration of the cord circuit are eilected in substantially the same manner as in the case of a call to the deferred storage equipment. However, the numbering machine l corresponding to the numbering machine |04 of Fig..4 ls ilrst rendered operative inorder to number the successive messages to the branch omce. The numbering machine 304 and the control relays associated with the stor age equipment'are similar to the corresponding `elements of Figs. 3 and 4 and have been given similar referencenumerals with the prex 3.

'I'hus the relay 221 corresponding to the relay 81 of Fig. 3 is operated when the connection is j made at the switchboard and prepares a circuit for operating the stepping, magnet 205 of the 'numbering machine. which circuit may bejtraced through the inner armature and back contact of relay 201, the outer right hand armature and front contact of relayv 201 and the sixth pulse` contacts III of the pulsing unit 3|| associated with `the reperforator RRS. The next sixth pulse following the operation ofl relay. 301 starts the `numbering machine 304, the operating circuit for the stepping magnet 205 of the numbering 

